Fisher



July 19, 1949. G. FISHER RHYTHM CALCULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug.3. 1944 G. FISHER RHYTHM CALCULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 19, 1949.

Filed Aug. 5, 1944 RHYTHM CALCULATOR July 19, 1949.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 3. 1944 Q6' rVf 17W July 19, 1949. G. FISHER2,476,408

Y RHYTHM CALCULATOR Filed Aug. 3. 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Patented July 19, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE administratrix ofsaid George Fisher, deceased, assigner, by direct and mesncassignments,y toY George F. Fisher, Jr.

ApplicationAugust 3, 1944, Serial No..547,90`

(Cl. 2515"-51'8)z I8" Claims. l This invention relates to a calculatorfor determiningv the rhythm numbers and also the calendar datescorresponding theretov for various menstruation cycles.

An important' object ofthe invention is to provide a calculator of` thskind adapted to cover regular menstrual periods and normal. variationsthereof.

A. further object ofA the invention is to provide a calculator fordetermining the two rhythm ligures for any usual menstrual cycle.

Another. object of the invention is toapply the calculator to determinethe actual dates. for any particular rhythm 'gures covering any of the`usual menstrual cycles..

Still a further object of theA invention is to provide for calendardeterminations applying thev rhythm gures for. months of different4lengths.

Another object of theinventionfis.toprovide a calculator of thiskindlwhichis generally otnew and improved construction; characterizedYby simplicity of design as. well as ease and facility in use andassembly.

Other objects ofthe inventionand various ad.- vantages andcharacteristics` of the. present cal.- culator will be. apparentfrom aconsideration of the following detaileddescription.

The inventionconsistsinthe several novel features of construction and,operation. which are hereinafter described. and more particularly de..fined by the claims at the conclusion hereof..

In the drawingswhichaccompanyy andform a part of this specification. or.disclosure and ina which like letters andnumerals of reference denotecorresponding parts throughout the severalA views:

Figure l is an assembly view of` thecalculator showing the parts in aposition for determining the rhythmv numbers for ay cyclev ot 2B. days;Figure 2 shows theA calculator with the. parts in positioniordetermining the rhythm numbers tor amenstruallcycle which var-iesrom2K3-to, 30 days, the cycle beginning upon` the tenth dayl of a 30 daymonth; Figure` 3 isa sectionaltview of the calculator; Figure 4' isaplan orY face.view ofthe other parts are movable and adjustable; Figureillustrates a modiiication4 set for determining the rhythm numbers for acycle which varies from 22'! to' 26 days; and Figures 9; 10-and 11- showfragmentary views of the days, left and right adjust'- ableparts'respectively, ofI Figure 8-.

It has been determined that in a menstrual cycle, there is asterileperiod beginning with the iirst day of menstruation, followed bya fertile period lasting for a number of days in whichA conceptionv canoccur, and then aperiod of sterilityextending to thel next menstruation.For' a woman whose regularcycle is 28 days, thesel periods are 9, 8 and11` days respectively.

In the same manner; airegularcycle of 20 daysf has periods of 1, 8, and11 days respectively; anda. cycleof 36 days hasperiods-of- 17, 8, and 11days respectively'.

Most normal menstrual cycles vary from 2 to 6v days, as from 20 to 25`days; 26 to 28, or 24 to 30 days, and it is somewhat difficult tocalculate the' rhythm numbers for these variations, and to carry overthe periods from one month to another.

The present invention provides a simple, reliable, and easily operatedcalculator for making the determinations ofthe rhythm numbers and theirapplication to months of different lengths.

It is assumed thata woman has determined by observation over eightmonths or more, the shortest and longest periods in her menstrual cycle.The iirst two figures of her rhythm are important to herthe. rst ofAwhich indicates the sterile days at the beginning ofv her menstrualcycle, and the secondi indicates the number of days in her fertileperiod;

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the calculatorcomprisesY a base member I0 preferably circular in form and of flatflexible material such as cardboard-metaL plastic, or any othersuitable, material.`

InV the outer marginal edges are graduations l I. containingdesignations from 20 to 40. Inside of the graduated portion H is a ringcontaining a segmental portion 12.01V the same circular extent as thegraduations lil marked with a distinguishing color such as blue. Withinthe ring I2 and spaced from the lower graduation 2D by a distance oithree ofthe same graduations is a marker I3 preferably in the form of.a, blockwhich occupies 3 the same circular proportionate space as one ofthe outer graduations II. At the center of the base member is aperforation I4 for receiving a mounting pivot I5.

Rotatably mounted on the pivot I 5 next to the base plate I6 is theright side adjustment part I5a having a portion I6 of a diameter tocover the outer graduated ring II of the base member I and a portion I1of smaller diameter to extend within and to uncover the base marker I3.At one end connecting the portion I6 and I1 is a connecting shoulder I8,and at the other side connecting these portions is a shoulder I9 havingan outer projection 26 which extends outwardly4 beyond the edge orperiphery of the base member Ill to provide means for easily adjustingit at the right side of any ofthe graduations II. At the base of theShoulder I9 is a ring segment 2I corresponding to the color ring segmentI2 Y of the base member I0 and having a length corresponding to four ofthe graduations II. These are divided into two graduations 22 which arepreferably of the same color as the color segment I2 and two othersegments 23 which are a lighter shade of the same color.

The left adjustment part 24 as shown in Figure has a portion 25 With adiameter substantially the same as that of the portion I6 of the partI5a to cover the graduations I I of the base member, and a portion 26 ofreduced diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the portionI1 of the right adjusting part, which extends to the inner edge of thecooler ring segment I2. The portions and 26 of larger and smaller radiusare connected by a straight portion 21 atV one side and by a shoulder 28at the other side having a continued projection 29 which extends beyondthe periphery of the base member I 6 to form a finger hold portion foradjusting the left part. Extending from the base of the shoulder 28 is aring segment 36 having a colored portion 3| of a width of two of thegraduated spaces I I, and a portion 32 of lighter color having a widthof one of the same graduations. Extending circularly in the portion 25of larger radius is a curved slot 33 to embrace the inner and outersides of the marker I3 of the base member which is therefore Visiblethrough the slot for a full length corresponding -to fteen of thegraduated spaces.

And finally, there is an outer adjustment part 35 having an outer ring36 divided into continuous graduations having in one group and 31 inanother group corresponding to months of 36 and 31 days respectively.Inside of the graduated ring 36 is another ring of correspondinggraduations 31 which areat a distance from the center so that theyregister with the marker I3 of the base member which is visible throughthe slot 33 of the left member 24. It is preferable that this outeradjustment part is made of transparent material so that the marker I3and the colored sections in the ring I2 of the base member and 2l and 30inthe adjustable parts S5@ and 24 respectively are easily visiblethrough it, the numbers designating the days of the month being alsoplainly visiblein the outer graduated ring 36.

To cover a month of 28 days, the transparent outer part 35 is preferablymarked with numbers from 1 to 28 arranged relatively to the graduations3 to 36 for a month of 30 days and at the inside of the graduated ring31.

It would be suilicient to have the two outer rings of the movable part35 of a transparent 4 nature, but by having the entire part made oftransparent material, the outer surface of the left adjustment part 24may have thereon printed directions for using the calculator or othersubject matter which is visible through this outer part 3 On theprojection 29 of the left part 24 is an arrow 4t preferably having adistinguishing color such as red to designate the left side of thenumber of days in the shortest menstruation period, and in theprojection 20 of the other part I5a is an arrow 4I preferably having adifferent designating color such asblack to designate the right side ofthe graduation in the longest menstruation period under consideration.

, calculator.

In operating this calcula-tor to determine the rhythm numbers for anycycle, Whether it be a single day or a number of days, the leftadjustment part is moved so that its arrow is at the left `of the numberdesignating the cycle or the shortest variation thereof, and the rightadjustment part is moved so that its edge as designated by the arrow isat the right side of the numbered graduation designating the day and theperiod or the number of days in the longest period. With the right andleft parts in these positions turn the transparent outer disc until thenumber 1 appears directly over the marker I3 which is then visiblethrough the slot 33 of the left adjustment part. The rhythm numbers arethus in advance of the color visible through the disc in the example asshown in Figure 1, the numbers appearing in color being from l0 to 17,so that the two rhythm numbers are 9 and 8. In a similar manner, therhythm numbers may be determined for any usual period and for anyordinary variation menstrual cycles.

'I'o use the calculator for calendar dates, it is necessary only to varythe position of the outer transparent disc so that instead of placingthe numeral one upon or over the marker I3, the date of lastmenstruation be adjusted to that position, the calculator being set forthe days of longest and shortest periods, the sterile and fertile datesmay be actually determined and read from the That portion of the outerdisc which represents the number of days in the month underconsideration, should be used in connection with the marker I3, whetherit be for a month of 28, 30 or 31 days. For a February having 29 days,an additional day may be added to the result. In the example shown inFigure 2. the rhythm numbers which may be calculated are 7 and 12, thesterile days will be from the tenth to the sixteenth of the month, andthe fertile days being from the seventeeth to the twenty-eighth.

In the same manner, the rhythm numbers and the calendar dates may beeasily and quickly determined for any regular or variable menstrualperiods within the range of the calculator. For all practical purposes,this range of calculation is included between graduations 20 to 40 onthe base member.

A simplified form of the calculator is shown in Figures 8 to 11,comprising a base 44, a left adjustable part 45, a right adjustable part46, and an outer rotatable part 41, all connected together for relativerotation by a common pivot screw 48. The difference between thisstructure and that previously described is that the base member has amarker 49 which projects outwardly from the periphery Where it isvisible outside of the outer edges of the left and right parts 45 and46. This marker projection is spaced four graduations from the lower endof amarres graduations 5()` designating the high andiow days partAB hasa portion 55 with an outer diameter substantially the same as thediameter of the base member with a reduced portion 55 between the rightend marker Elv and av shoulder 58,

this portion of reduced diameter being the same as the portion 54 ofvthe left part and uncovering the numbered graduations 55 between theendmarkers for any variation or the graduations 50 from 20, the lowestnumben to 4.0, the largest number contained therein; and the outermember 41 is circular form, and has an outer, diameter less than thediameter of theY inner edge of the graduations 5b ci the base member andcorresponding thereto. The outer member is not necessarily transparentsince no covered marker or open slot is necessary as in. the other formof the invention. and the marker 49l visible at the outer edge of thebase member 44 is substantially the width of one of the graduationsy ofthe base member and also ofl one of the graduations of the outer memberM, thus making it possible to set the outer member so that one of itsnumber l gradnations is placed opposite the marker iii for determiningthe rhythm numbers, or to set any number in the edge of the outer memberopposite the marker 49 for determining the calendar applications of therhythm numbers, all as previously set forth.

Inv the projection 52 of the left member d5 are three graduations 6@ inline with the graduations 5l) of the base member, and in the projecttion 5T of the right adjustable member l5 are four graduations E5! inline with the graduations 5()V of the base member. These graduations areadded to those exposed between the left and right adjustable members indetermining the so-c'alledfertile period.

With this construction, no slotted or transparent parts. are necessaryand although the method and theory of operation is the same, the partsare simpler to construct, to set and to operate.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to. the details setforth since these may be modified within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rhythmv calculator having a base with the edge graduatedtorepresent days, a pair of parts iaving outer projections 'and movablefrom opposite sides of the to visibly include any number of graduatibetween the projections designating days var tions in length. of themenstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, and a movable outer memberng corresponding tov those ci the Law determining the graduations of themarker from one side ofthe visible graduations of the base.

2; A rhythm calculate-r having a graduated to represent days, a of partshaving outer projections movable at opposite sides upon the base toinclude any number of said graduations between the projectionsdesign'ating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spacedmarker on the base, each of the parts having portions adjacent theincluded graduations including a predetermined number of similargraduations, and a movable outer member having corresponding graduationsfor determining the number of graduations from the marker to theadjacent predetermined graduations and the number of graduationsincludedv between the parts and added to said predetermined graduations.

3. A rhythm calculator having a base with graduations to represent daysin menstrual.

cycles, a pair of parts having. terminal projecting portions and movableon the base to include any number of said graduations therebe.- tweendesignating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spacedmarker on the base, each part having a designating portion of severalgraduations adjacent its terminal portion, the base having a similardesignating portion extending along its graduations and corresponding.to the designating portions of said parts, and a movable outer memberhaving graduations for determining the number of graduations from themarker to the adjacent designating portion and the total graduationsincluded in and between said graduated portions.

4'. A rhythm calculator having a base with graduations to represent daysin menstrual cycles, a pair of parts having terminal portions projectingover the graduations and movable to include any number of saidgraduations therebetween designating days variations in length of themenstrual cycle, a spaced marker on the base, one of the parts having aslot through which the marker is visible, the other part having aportion of reduced sections which uncoversA the slot of the first part,and movable outer member having graduations corresponding to those ofthe base for determining the graduations from the marker to the adjacentterminal portion included between the movable parts.

5; A rhythm calendar calculator havin a base` with graduations torepresent days, a pair of parts having terminal portions projecting overand movable to include any number of said graduations therebetweendesignating days variations inv length of the menstrual cycle, a markeron the base spaced a number of graduations from one end of thegraduations thereon, and a movable outer member having graduationscorresponding tov those oi the base, and designated as consecutive daysof adjacent months so that the transparent outer member may be movedwith respect to the marker to bring any date of a month in register withthe marker for determining the extension of the rhythm calculations inthe same and into adjacent months.

6. A rhythm calculator' having base with circular graduations torepresent days, a pair of parts rotatably mounted upon the base andhaving opposite projections movable from opposite sides tov visiblyinclude any number of graduations with respect thereto, and a rotatableouter member having graduations corresponding to those of the base fordetermining the number of graduations from the marker to one side of thevisiblelv graduations of the base in determining the rhythm numbers ofamenstrual cycle, the saidparts, all being; rotatable upon a commonaXis.

7. A rhythm calculator having a base with curved graduations torepresent days, a pair of parts rotatable on the base having relativelyopposed terminals projecting over and movable at opposite sides of thebase to include any numn ber of graduations therebetween designatingdays variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spaced marker on thebase, one of the parts having a curved slot through which the marker isvisible, a movable transparent outer member having circular graduationson the same scale as those of the base to represent the days ofconsecutive months, and a common connecting pivot upon which the baseand said parts are connected for relative rotary movement, the variationof the said parts causing a corresponding variation of the distance ofthe marker from the adjacent edge of the graduations included betweensaid pair of parts.

8. A rhythm calendar calculator having a base with curved graduations torepresent days, a pair of parts having opposed terminal portionsprojecting over the graduations and movable in opposite directions withrespect to the base to include any number of graduations therebetweendesignating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a spacedmarker on the base, and a rotatable outer member having graduationscorresponding to those of the base and designated as the consecutivedays of adjacent months, an additional graduation for 28 daysterminatingron the last day of one of the said months for determiningrhythm calculations in the same month and in adjacent months having 28,30 and 3l days.

9. A rhythm calculator, comprising a base with a circular graduation torepresent days and a color ring at one side thereof, a pair of partshaving opposite outer terminal portions projecting over the graduationsand movable at opposite sides of the base to include any number of saidgraduations designating days variations in length of the menstrual cycleand a corresponding portion of the color ring therebetween, each of theparts having its terminal portion and extension of the colorrring for apredetermined number of graduations, a marker on the base spaced apredetermined number of graduations from the lower numbered end of thebase graduations and located inwardly of the color ring, the movablepart adjacent the marker having a curved slot therein located within thecolor ring through which said marker is visible, and a movabletransparent outer member having graduations representing consecutivedates of adjacent months and located upon a ring to overlie the colorrings of the base and said pair of parts so that the said marker ispositioned adjacent the graduations of the outer member and visiblethrough the outer member and the said slot of the underlying part.

10. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base member, a pair ofindependent parts having opposite outer terminal portions to projectover the base graduations and movable relatively to include any of thebase graduations therebetween designating days variations in length ofthe menstrual cycle, an outer member having graduations corresponding tothose of the base member and movable relatively over the parts, the basemember and the movable parts being connected by a common pivot, the basehaving a marker spaced with relation to the graduations, and theterminal portions of the movable parts extending 8 beyond the edgeof thebase to provide fingerhold portions for adjustably moving the parts withrespect to the base and said marker.

11. A rhythm calculator, having a circular base, a pair of parts pivotedon the base having relatively opposite terminal portions which extendbeyond the edge of the base to provide adjusting nger-hold portions toinclude various portions of the edge of the base therebetween, the basehaving a marker and one of the parts having a slot through which themarker is visible when the part is moved, the other part having areduced portion of reduced diameter to uncover the base marker, and amovable transparent outer member through which the marker is alsovisible, the base and outer member having edge graduations to representdays and the outer member and the parts being adjustable with respect tothe graduation of the base to determine the rhythm numbers for anyperiods included in and between said graduated portion of the base.

12. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base member, a pair ofindependent parts having outer projections and movable relatively toinclude diierent numbers of the graduations of the base between theprojections, a marker fixed with respect to the graduations of the base,one ofthe parts having a slot through which the marker is visible, theother part having a cut away portion to uncover the marker when theparts adjacent the marker are in overlapping relation, and a transparentmember having graduations corresponding to those of the base membermovable relatively over said parts and the marker visible through theslot of one of the parts with relation to the graduations of thetransparent member.

13. A rhythm calculator having a graduated base, a pair of partsindependently movable having relatively opposite projecting terminalportions adjustable to include any number of said graduationstherebetween, a marker on the base member, one of the parts having aslot through which the marker is visible, the base member having a colorline at one side of the graduations, the slotted part having a coloredportion adjacent the terminal end extending for three graduations, theother movable part having a colored portion extending for fourgraduations adjacent the terminal thereof, and a transparent member withgraduations movable relatively to the graduations of the base and to thesaid adjustable parts having graduations corresponding to those of thebase member and the marker of the base member being visible through theslot of one of said parts and the colored portion of said parts and ofthe base member being also visible through the transparent member.

14. A rhythm calculator having a base member with curved graduationsdesignating days, a pair of independent parts having opposite projectingterminal portions and rotatable relatively to include graduations of thebase therebetween designating days variations in length of the menstrualcycle, a marker on the base member relative to the graduations thereof,a color ring at one side of the base graduations, one of the partshaving a curved slot through which the marker is visible, beginning at apredetermined distance from the said terminal of this part, the terminalof the slotted part having a continuation of the color ring of the basemember extending for three graduations, the more remote graduationhaving a lighter color than the other two graduations, the other parthaving a color portion extending for four graduations in line with thecolor ring ofthe base and the two more remote graduations being of alighter color than the adjacent two, and a rotatable transparent memberwith graduations corresponding to those of the base member designatedwith numbers indicating the days oi adjacent months.

15. A calculator for determining the two rhythm numbers of a menstrualperiod, comprising a graduated base member, a pair of independent partsmovable relatively to include any of the graduations of the basedesignating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a basehaving a marker in a predetermined location thereon, one of the partshaving a recess through which the marker is visible, the parts havingdesignating portions adjacent their indieating ends, each including apredetermined number of steps corresponding to the graduated base to beadded to the steps included between the parts when designating any ofthe graduations, and a transparent member having graduationscorresponding to those of the base member with calendar designations forindicating the number of days from the spaced marker to the adjacent endof the said designating portion on that part on which the recessappears.

16. A rhythm calculator having a relatively stationary base withgraduations, a pair of movable parts to include any of the graduationsdesignating days variations in length of the menstrual cycle, a markeron the base member, and an outer member having calendar graduationscorresponding to the graduations of the base movable relatively oversaid parts and the marker and visibly related to the graduations of thebase member.

17. A rhythm calculator having a base member with graduationsrepresenting days, a pair of superposed movable parts having relativelyopposite projecting ends to include any number of said graduationsbetween the ends designating days variations in length of the menstrualcycle, a marker on the base member at a predetermined distance from oneend of said graduations and visible at the outer edges of said parts,and a predetermined number of graduations at the said projecting end ofeach part adjacent to the graduations of the base member and visiblebetween the parts, and an outer movable member having graduationsrelated to the graduations of the base member and said parts.

18. A rhythm calculator having a circular base member with a limited arcof graduations at its edge representing days and a marker projectingfrom the edge a predetermined number of graduations from the lowest daygraduation, a pair of circular rotatable members having edges extendingover the said graduations and each terminating in a relatively oppositeshouldered end portion which uncovers said graduations, the end portionsdisposed oppositely to include any number or" graduations between saidends, the end position adjacent the marker having three graduations andthe other end portion having four graduations in line with the basegraduations, and a rotatable outer member having its edge graduated inconsecutive numbers representing calendar month days and disposed at theinner edges of the base and parts graduations and corresponding in sizethereto.

GEORGE FISHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenfoes are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,458,649 Gardner June 12, 19232,076,242 Marquis Apr. 6, 1937 2,118,354 Mansur May 24, 1938 2,343,592Tilbrook Mar. 7, 1944 2,350,219 Brandao May 30, 1944

